FRIDAY EVENING MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

From Friday 30th October 2009 we will begin a new format of practice at the Vihara.

Friday evenings will be for the practice of Mindfulness and will apply to all attendees, new and advanced students alike.A new timetable will begin on this evening to encompass new students and facilitate advanced students who wish to develop their understanding and practice of Vipassana.

The Vihara will be open to students from 6.30pm at which time they may have tea or coffee and use to the time to have discussion with each other and make use of the library facility, however at 7pm sharp the practice of Mindfulness will begin with the sounding of three chimes of the Tibetan Bowl and all present must then remain in silence and observe Noble Silence until they leave the Vihara on completion of their meditation either at 7.40pm or 8.15pm.

The practice of Metta and Mindfulness of Breathing and a basic meditation will commence at 7pm and is available to all. Metta practice will end with Blessings at 7.40pm.
Students not staying on to practice Vipassana or continue with a further silent meditation at his/her own level are asked to leave the Vihara at this time whilst continuing to observe The Noble Silence.

Vipassana practice will begin at 7.45pm and is available to advanced students. It is not advisable for beginners to carry out this practice until they have spent some time practicing Metta and Mindfulness of Breathing.

During this 30 minute session beginners may sit in meditation in the Shrine room and practice at their own level of meditation but this will be carried out without instruction and it is stressed that they should not attempt the Vipassana practice.

The Vipassana practice will end at 8.15pm.

ALL students are asked to leave the Vihara by 8.20pm as the Resident Monk will begin his own personal meditation practice at 8.30pm.
Any student wishing to discuss his/her personal meditation and practice should make arrangements to discuss this in person with the resident monk out with the Friday evening sessions.
It is hoped that these changes to Friday practice will allow for new and advanced students to practice and develop their meditation practice to a deeper level and understanding.

“A Mindful Journey from Birth to Death” the latest book on mindfulness practice launchers in Sri Lanka.

Photographs Courtesy of Sudath Silva - Media Director to the President, Photo & Video Unit

The President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksha receives blessings

Photographs Courtesy of Sudath Silva - Media Director to the President, Photo & Video Unit

The Sri Lankan President honours the newly appointed Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain.

Photographs Courtesy of Sudath Silva - Media Director to the President, Photo & Video Unit

The Inauguration Ceremony

THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE VENERABLE K. SRI REWATHA THERO AS CHIEF SANGHA NAYAKA FOR U.K. AUGUST 2009.


The Venerable K.Sri Rewatha Thero, ( “ Bhante” ) was appointed the honorary rank of Chief Sangha Nayaka for The U.K. at a fantastic ceremony in Kotte.

The title of “Saddharma Keethisri Sobhitha,Vishwasamaya Sabhagacari” which translated means “ The High Ambassador for World Inter-Faith Dialogue, Peace and Harmony” was given to him by The Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte Maha Sangha Sabha ( The Supreme Council of Monks ) in association with its main Karaka Sangha Sabha ( The committee members ).

If this all seems like a mouthful to you then you should have been there to experience how it all came about for that in itself was an epic and well worth not just a blog but a book ( at this point its best not to mention the book! ).

The appointment was given to Bhante by The Chief Prelate ( Maha Nayaka Thera ) of The Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte Maha Sangha Sabha, the most Venerable Dr. Bellana Gnanawimala Maha Thera in the presence of its’ supreme committee members and distinguished guests including Mrs Nicole Cox who travelled all the way from New York to attend the ceremony and The British High Commissioner for Sri Lanka.
In addition to this a special delegation travelled from Scotland including Ms. Anne McLaughlin MSP.

Six bus loads of special visitors made the long journey from Bhantes’ village of Belena to Kotte to show their devotion and gratitude for all he has done for them and the community over the years.

Having travelled the Belena- Kotte road several times I can safely say that these amazing people who all stepped off of the buses in their immaculate white finery were an amazing sight for very tired, sore eyes ( due to the book, yes I’ve mentioned it again…stay posted! ).
The atmosphere was one of happiness and joy and a sense of everyone present being a part of a very special event and one which marked the recognition of a very special man who has devoted his life to helping and serving others being awarded the title of Chief Sangha Nayaka, ( I’ve finally managed to spell it without pausing having only written it what seems like a million times since July 2009! ).

I will be posting more information and photos on the ceremony including the meeting with The President.

The Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain, The Venerable Kamburawala Sri Rewatha Thero

The Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte Kalyani Samagri Maha Sangha Sabha (The Supreme Sangha Council of Monks) in association with its main Karaka Sabha (The Committee members) has accorded the honorary rank of "Chief Monk of Great Britain with the title of "Saddharma Keerthi Sri Sobitha, Vishvasamaya Sabhagacari" (The High Ambassador for World Inter-faith Dialogue,Pease and Harmony) to the Venerable Kamburawala Sri Rewatha Thero head of Scotland's Buddhist Vihara.Glasgow.UK.The inauration ceremony was held at the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya on Saturday 1st August 2009.

Buddhism Course at The University of Glasgow

Buddhism for Beginners

Buddhism can seem contradictory. For some it's a religion without God, a belief system without rules or a faith which encourages the questioning of its own teachings. It can also be regarded as a philosophy with ideas which pre-empt many developments in western philosophy. This course will cover the basics of Buddhism including what it is, its historical development and its theory and practice.

Kenneth Hutton BA MPhil PhD and K Sri Rewatha Thero MA

19.00-21.00 Wednesdays from 07 October 2009
(8 meetings) University Campus

For more information please see this link.

http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/departments/adulteducation/index.php?SelectedSubject=Philosophy+and+religious+studies&SelectedSubh